How many bridges are in South Carolina?

South Carolina has 5,396 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. View detailed condition data for each bridge on PlainBridges.

What percentage of bridges in South Carolina are structurally deficient?

6.1% of bridges in South Carolina are classified as structurally deficient by the FHWA, compared to a national average of 7.0%.

State profile · Near national median SD

South Carolina bridge safety

Condition ratings, load ratings, and structural-deficiency data for every public highway bridge in South Carolina — drawn straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory.

Reviewed byPlainbridges Editorial, Plain Bridges Editorial Team · June 6, 2026

5,396
Public bridges: 34.8%
Good condition: 6.1%
Poor condition: 6.1%
Structurally deficient

Total Bridges

5,396

Public highway bridges in South Carolina

Good Condition

34.8%

1,876 bridges rated 7-9

-15.2pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

6.1%

329 bridges rated 0-4

Structurally Deficient

6.1%

329 bridges flagged for repair priority

-0.9pp vs national avg 7.0%

South Carolina vs national bridge condition

South Carolina — Good condition share 34.8%

National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

South Carolina — Structurally deficient share 20.3%

National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.0%.

Condition Distribution

Bridge inventory deck-condition mix — South Carolina (FHWA NBI)

South Carolina vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states on the structurally deficient leaderboard (lower share = better)

States are ranked by share of bridges flagged structurally deficient — the FHWA classification for any span where deck, superstructure, or substructure carries a condition rating of 4 or below. Lower percentages indicate stronger maintenance funding and inspection follow-through. States here sit immediately above and below South Carolina on the same metric.

Idaho

5.51% top marginal rate

Structure: Progressive
Burden @ $100K: $1,742

Mississippi

5.92% top marginal rate

Structure: Progressive
Burden @ $100K: $16,823

Selected

South Carolina

6.10% top marginal rate

Structure: Progressive
Burden @ $100K: $5,396

Wisconsin

6.13% top marginal rate

Structure: Progressive
Burden @ $100K: $14,851

North Carolina

6.16% top marginal rate

Structure: Progressive
Burden @ $100K: $18,901

Bridges Needing Most Attention in South Carolina

Six lowest-condition bridges in South Carolina, ranked by composite NBI rating. Each is inspected at least every 24 months.

Publisher	Kiznis Studio
Sources	FHWA National Bridge Inventory, public U.S. government datasets

South Carolina vs national bridge condition

Condition Distribution

Counties (46)

Bridges Needing Most Attention in South Carolina

C-20-60

S-12-353

C-30-548

S-34-64

S-39-250

C-11-288

All Bridges in South Carolina

S-5-20

S-25-51

S-26-911

S-38-640

SC 3

S-3-331

S-5-75

S-5-47

S-26-569

S-37-207

S-41-98

S-41-432

S-42-974

S-45-33

S-5-12

S-6-38

S-30-19

S-31-228

SC 188

S-38-690

S-6-167

US 29

S-14-307

S-23-42

S-30-43

S-38-77

S-2-809

S-3-241

S-5-81

S-5-81

S-9-226

S-12-482

S-23-40

C-24-485

S-30-107

SC 88

S-29-67

S-42-725

C-42-837

C-32-5606

S-44-408

US 276

SC 290

SC 412

SC 215

S-37-99

S-32-72

S-37-174

SC 210

C-42-931

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